BMI and weight loss

kate25
kate25 Posts: 37
edited September 19 in Motivation and Support
My BMI is 22 and I was always healthy. I put weight on during 3 pregnancies. Just 30 pounds every time, and I'd take most of it back off after. I'm down quite a bit now but my goal was to lose 20 more lbs as this is my last little one.

Since I started doing shred 1 week ago I have lost 2" on my butt and 1" around my belly.

I just don't know if my goals are unrealistic. I'm pretty happy with my body except for the mommy belly.

How much of a calorie deficit should I have? I don't want to starve myself but I don't want to wait for results either KWIM? What do you think?

Replies

  • kate25
    kate25 Posts: 37
    My BMI is 22 and I was always healthy. I put weight on during 3 pregnancies. Just 30 pounds every time, and I'd take most of it back off after. I'm down quite a bit now but my goal was to lose 20 more lbs as this is my last little one.

    Since I started doing shred 1 week ago I have lost 2" on my butt and 1" around my belly.

    I just don't know if my goals are unrealistic. I'm pretty happy with my body except for the mommy belly.

    How much of a calorie deficit should I have? I don't want to starve myself but I don't want to wait for results either KWIM? What do you think?
  • rheston
    rheston Posts: 638
    Weight doesn't magically fall off of you unless you're willing to do some unhealthy things in your life and because you have kids to consider I wouldn't take the risk.

    Unfortunately for the "mommy belly" there's not much that can be done for most women outside of cosmetic surgery -- believe me I hear it every day from my wife and daughter.

    To lose 1lb of weight you need to burn 3500 calories. So, if you're looking to lose 2lbs in a week you need to exercise enough to burn 7000 calories without eating it back into your system. This means a balance of eating the recommended minimum calories MFP provides along with exercise and enough bonus calories (from exercise) to keep you from being hungry at any point in the day but not to the max allowed (including exercise).

    You have to pay attention to your body and what it needs but I guarantee you that if you eat less than your body is asking for then you'll find yourself packing on the pounds a few months after you reached your goal weight because you didn't set yourself up for a lifestyle eating plan but a "diet plan" which always fail.

    Good Luck
  • HustleRose
    HustleRose Posts: 88
    1 lbs a week is the most healthy loss, though you can choose two if you prefer. Just keep in mind that you should EITHER enter into MPF that you want to MAINTAIN your weight and then eatt the amount of calories it tells you you need, and then exercise enough to burn that 700 calories (Not 7000 :tongue: ) OR enter either the one or two lb a week loss that you choose into MPF and then follow its guidelines, eating back your excercise calories. Don't both eat what it reccomends for a two lbs a week loss and then also try to do that amount of exercise without eating those calories back, those together would equal a 4 lb a week loss and put your body into starvation mode.

    Hope you understood all that. :tongue:
  • kate25
    kate25 Posts: 37
    That's what I've been doing. MFP will only let me lose 1 pound a week which is fine. I'm just still trying to figure out if I should focus more on weight loss or my measurements. And I'm starting to think that my goal of dropping 20lbs will be unrealistic. That'll put me at a BMI of 19. I never realized how low that was before I joined here. I just focused on the number that I'd weigh. KWIM? I don't want to look anorexic.
  • debuckl
    debuckl Posts: 360 Member
    I'm guessing if your BMI is only 22 you should focus more on toning. By toning you could look and feel better with out actually losing any weight. I'm not an expert but your BMI is well within a healthy range.
  • kate25
    kate25 Posts: 37
    This might be a stupid question but what would I have to change to focus on toning? Do I eat my calories as if I'm maintaining my weight or as if I'm still trying to lose?
  • HustleRose
    HustleRose Posts: 88
    You would eat to maintain your weight, but try to eat healthy foods, low sodium, low on unhealthy fat, nothing fried, more fruits and veggies, that kind of thing. And you would want to focus more on strength training to tone your muscles. You could add in cardio as well, to burn a little fat, but if you're already at a healthy weight, that won't be as important as the strength training (weight lifting, resistance bands, etc.) for tonight, though cardio is still always good for the heart.
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